This course offers an introduction to the great diversity of Asian music. Our
survey will span from East Asia (China, Korea, and Japan) to Southeast Asia
(Thailand and Indonesia) to the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia (Tibet and
Afghanistan), to the Middle East (Iran and the Arabian peninsula), and will end
with the extension of Asian music across North Africa and into Eastern Europe.
Within this broad survey, we will focus on selected and representative musical
cultures and genres. In each section of the course, aspects of cultural context
(including music's function in religious life and its relationship to the other
arts), will be emphasized. While our focus will be on the traditional and
classical musics of these cultures, we will also briefly consider the current
musical scene. Encounters with this music will include attendance at live
performances when possible.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on four tests and two
papers.
No prerequisites; no musical experience necessary. Enrollment limit: 35.